Ligand assays of enzymatic hair digests

ABSTRACT

A method for the direct analysis of analyte in keratinized structures, e.g., hair, fingernails and toenails, which comprises preparing a mixture containing a low redox potential compound such as dithiothreitol or dithioerythritol, an enzyme suitable for the degradation of the keratin structure and a sample of the keratin structure; permitting the enzyme to at least substantially degrade the sample of keratin structure, and subjecting the mixture to analysis to determine the identity and amount of analyte in the keratin substance sample. To accelerate the method, cupric sulfate or sodium arsenite may be added to the mixture after degradation of the keratin sample. The enzyme may be a peptidase, endopeptidase or proteinase, with papain, chymopapain, and proteinase K being preferred for use in the invention.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. applicationSer. No. 215,591 filed Jul. 6, 1988, now abandoned which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 138,515,filed Dec. 28, 1987, now abandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to an improved analytical method whicheffectuates the relatively rapid solubilization and direct analysis oforganic analytes, e.g., drugs of abuse, present in hair and otherkeratinized structures, e.g., fingernails and toenails, withouteffecting the structure of the analyte or being detrimental tobiological analyte probes, e.g., antibody, RNA/DNA and bio-receptorprobes. The analyte can be directly analyzed by adding the analyte probedirectly to the solubilized analyte-containing solution to determine theidentity of the analyte as well as the extent and duration of itsconsumption by a subject.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the past, hair analysis techniques for the detection of trace metalswere developed that purported to provide information on an individual'snutritional status. One objection to the use of these techniques is thedifficulty of distinguishing between trace metals deposited in hair fromthe bloodstream and metals which have become embedded in hair throughexternal contact with, for example, water and cosmetic agents.Consequently, these techniques are not considered useful by the medicalcommunity for diagnosing nutritional problems, and therefore have notbeen considered sufficiently accurate to determine the level of aparticular trace metal consumed by a subject.

The problems with previous hair analysis techniques have caused relianceon urine and blood analysis techniques for the detection of ingestedchemicals, e.g., drugs-of-abuse, medications and toxic chemicals, in asubject. However, these techniques are also known to be disadvantageousin that the duration and intensity of use or exposure cannot beascertained. Urine and blood analysis, at best, can provide short terminformation concerning ingested drugs or chemicals such asdrugs-of-abuse. In addition, there are also problems with theinterpretation of such results. For example, the detection of a lowlevel of ingested chemical in the urine could mean that a subjectingested a small amount of the drug or chemical very recently or alarger amount several days earlier. Thus, chronic drug use cannot bedetermined with these methods without repeated testing.

In response to the problems of establishing a reliable and accuratemethod that would measure both the duration and intensity of use ofdrugs-of-abuse, medications, toxic chemicals, etc., work performed byDr. Werner A. Baumgartner, as reported in "Radioimmunoassay of Hair forDetermining Opiate Abuse Histories", J. Nucl Med 20:749-752 (1979),determined that long-term histories of exposure to drugs-of-abuse can beobtained through the analysis of mammalian body hair, since thesesubstances are "trapped" within individual hair fibers during theirsynthesis. In this respect, hair was shown to act like a tape recorder,i.e., past exposure histories can be evaluated through sectionalanalysis of hair samples. It was found that heroin, once in thebloodstream, will find its way into hair as it is synthesized.

Thus, it was discovered in this study and confirmed by subsequentstudies that a variety of chemicals, such as drugs-of-abuse,medications, toxic chemicals, etc., hereinafter collectively referred toas "analyte", are trapped by hair during its synthesis and that thesesubstances are "locked up" in hair for essentially the duration of thehair. This was found to be true for head and body hair as well as forother keratinized structures such as fingernails. Suzuki et al.,Forensic Sci. International, 24:9-16, 1984. These entrapped substancescannot be washed out of hair, and are released only upon completedestruction of the hair fiber.

Prior art methods of extracting an analyte from hair included subjectingthe hair to hot methanol solutions (Baumgartner et al., J. Nucl Med 20,748, 1979) and by overnight incubation of hair in an alkaline or acidmedium. D. Valente, et al., Clinical Chemistry, 1952, Vol. 27, No. 11,1981. Prior methods also include the use of a mortar and pestle torelease the entrapped analyte in conjunction with a solvent.

However, solvent extraction procedures suffer from several problems inaccurately determining the presence and amount of an ingested analyte.One of these problems is that the solvent extraction methods frequentlyremove only a small unknown and variable fraction of the total analytepresent in the hair sample. Such methods also tend to be time consuming,and generally involve elevated temperatures which may damage theanalyte. Another disadvantage is that different analytes requiredifferent solvents for extraction. For example, a hair sample containingmorphine, phenylcyclindine ("PCP"), cocaine and marijuana has to beextracted sequentially with several different solvents, which is a verytime consuming procedure, particularly since the solvents have to beevaporated before analysis can proceed.

Other methods and studies pertaining to the degradation of hair and hairanalysis include:

O. Suzuki, et. al., in a publication by Elsevier Scientific PublishersIreland Ltd., discloses a method for detecting methamphetamine andamphetamine in nail clippings or hair in which the substance was firstwashed in a mixture of methanol and water and dissolved in sodiumhydroxide, followed by analysis of the extracted drug.

A.W. Holmes, in Textile Research Journal, 706-712, August 1964,discloses the degradation of human hair by papain using sodium sulfiteas enzyme activator.

Annette M. Baumgartner, et al., in the Journal of Nuclear Medicine,20:748-752, 1979, discloses the extraction of morphine and heroin fromhair by pulverizing hair with a mortar and pestle followed by treatmentwith methanol.

D. Valente, et al., in Clinical Chemistry, Vol. 27, No. 11, 1981,discloses Dr. Baumgartner's technique of subjecting hair to a treatmentof hot methanol to effectuate extraction of drugs of abuse as well asthe author's technique of extracting morphine in an acid or alkalinemedium.

A.M. Baumgartner, et al., in Journal of Forensic Sciences, p. 576-81,July 1981, discloses the extraction of PCP with mortar and pestlefollowed by treatment with methanol. The extracted PCP was then analyzedwith RIA.

Smith et al., in Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 26, No. 3, July1981, pp. 582-586, disclose the testing of hair for the presence ofphenobarbitol, in which a single head hair was washed, dried, cut in 2mm lengths and added to 0.2 ml 0.1% SDS/saline solution, and a sampleassayed by radioimmunoassay.

W.A. Baumgartner, Black, et al., in J. Nucl Med 23:790-892, 1982,discloses the extraction of cocaine from hair samples by refluxing thehair samples in ethanol followed by RIA analysis.

Ishiyama, et al., in Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 28, No. 2, April1983, pp. 380-385, disclose a method whereby hair from methamphetamineaddicts was dissolved using 1.5N hydrochloric acid at a pH between 1 and2, followed by analysis using a gas chromatograph and mass spectrometry.

K. Puschel, et al., in Forensic Science International, 21 (1983)181-186, discloses the dissolving of hair samples by exposure to sodiumhydroxide and heat followed by analysis for the presence of morphine byRIA.

O. Suzuki, et al., in Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 29, No. 2,April 1984, pp. 611-617, discloses the detection of methamphetamine andamphetamine in a single human hair by gas chromatography and chemicalionization mass spectrometry. The hair sample was first dissolved in asodium hydroxide solution to which was added N-methylbenzylamine.

N.J. Haley et al., in Clin. Chem. 31/10, 1598-1600 (1985), discloses theanalysis of hair for nicotine and cotinine, in which washed hair sampleswere dissolved in a buffer solution containing gelatin, sodium chloride,Tris and EDTA, and adjusted to pH 7.4. Samples were then analyzed byradioimmunoassay.

Sramek, Baumgartner, et al., in A.M.J. Psychiatry 142:8, August 1985,discloses the analysis of hair samples of psychiatric patients withmethanol extraction and radioimmunoassay.

Baumgartner, et al., in Clinical Nuclear Medicine, vol. 10, September1985, discloses the benefits of extracting entrapped drugs of abuse fromhair followed by RIA analysis.

Gill, et al., in Nature, Vol. 318, p. 577 (1985) discloses the use of anSDS/proteinase k/dithiothreital mixture to extract DNA from whole blood,whole semen, vaginal fluid, hair roots, bloodstains and semen stains.The article states that "no DNA could be isolated from hair shafts".

Smith et al., in J. Forensic Sci. 1986, 31(4), 1269-73, discloses thedetection of cocaine in perspiration, menstrual bood stains and hairusing RIA.

M. Margio, et al., in "Determination of Morphine and Other Opioids inthe Hair of Heroin Addicts by HPLC and MS/MS" at the InternationalConference, University of Verona, Jun. 25-26, 1986, discloses variousmethods to assay morphine from hair samples.

M. Marigo, et al., in the Journal of Analytical Toxicology, Vol. 10,July/August 1986, discloses a method for the quantitative determinationof morphine contained in the hair of heroin addicts, by means ofheat-acid hydrolysis, pre-column dansyl derivatization, straight phaseliquid chromatography and fluorescence detection.

Smith, et al., in Journal of Forensic Sciences, Vol. 31, No. 4, October1986, pp. 1269-1273, disclose a method for the analysis of hair for thepresence of drugs whereby hair samples were first washed, cut into smallsegments, mechanically pulverized for six minutes, refluxed in ethanoland the samples analyzed using radioimmunoassay.

M. Michalodinitrakis, Med.Sci.Law (1987), Vol. 27, No. 1, discloses thedetection of cocaine in rats from the analysis of hair samples, whichwere dissolved upon exposure to 30 1.5 N HCL, which brought the pH valueto 1-2, following incubation with 0.01N HCl at 37° C. for one hour.

Pelli, et al., in Biomedical and Environmental Mass Spectrometry, Vol.14, 63-68 (1987) discloses a procedure for the identification ofmorphine in the hair of heroin addicts in which hair is treated withdiethylether and hydrochloric acid followed by dissolution of the driedextract in methanol.

Higuchi et al., in Nature, Vol. 332, p. 543 (1988) disclose a method fordissolving hair at pH 8 by the action of dithiothreitol, proteinase K,and 2% sodium dodecylsulfate in order to extract DNA from the digest bya complex chemical extraction method.

Also noted is the existence of certain patents, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos.3,986,926, 3,966,551, 3,939,040 and 3,623,950, which pertain todepilatory agents for the tanning of hides, and disclose the use ofcertain enzymes, including papain, in the dehairing process.

However, these and other prior art methods have proven disadvantageousfor the reasons noted above and/or because they degrade the analyteprobes (e.g., antibodies) of biological analytical methods, therebypreventing the use of such highly sensitive analytical techniques.

Thus, there exists a need for an analyte detection method that canrapidly and completely solubilize a certain analyte from keratinizedstructures of the body such as hair, fingernails, toenails and skin of asubject and which permits direct analysis of the identity of the analyteand the duration of use of the analyte in, or exposure to, a subject,without destroying the analyte of interest and/or an analyte probe ofbiological analytical methods.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide a drug and chemicaldetection method;

It is another object of the invention to provide a drug and chemicalhair analysis method;

It is another object of the invention to provide a reliable method ofsolubilizing, and directly analyzing the identity of, analytes in headand body hair and other keratinized structures of the body, and, whereapplicable, of determining the duration and extent of exposure of theanalyte in a subject;

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a hair analysismethod that solubilizes an analyte from the inner core of hair withoutcausing damage to the analyte;

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a reliable hairsolubilization and direct analyte detection method that effectivelypermits the use of highly accurate biological analytical methods;

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a reliable hairanalysis method that may be performed in a much less period of time thanknown hair analysis methods.

These and other objects are achieved by a novel keratinized structureanalysis method which comprises preparing a mixture containing alow-redox potential compound such as dithiothreitol (DTT) ordithioerythritol (DTE), an enzyme suitable for the dissolution ofkeratinized structures and a sample of a keratinized structure;permitting DTT or DTE to activate the keratinized structure and/or theenzyme; permitting the enzyme to at least substantially dissolve thesample of keratinized structure to form a keratin digest solution; andsubjecting a portion of the keratin digest solution to analysis todetect the identity and amount of the analyte, if present, in thekeratinized structure sample.

The preferred keratinized structure is hair. The enzyme may be selectedfrom the group consisting of peptidase, endopeptidase, and protease andpreferably is papain, chymopapain, or proteinase K. In order toaccelerate the analytical process, cupric sulfate or sodium arsenite(Na₂ AsO₂) may be added to the digest solution to deactivate interferingexcess dithiothreitol or dithioerythritol in the mixture. Preferably,the analysis of the solubilized analyte is performed by a biologicalanalytical method such as an immunoassay.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a method is provided thatpermits the rapid and complete solubilization of a certain analyte fromhead or body hair or other keratinized structures of an individual whohas previously been exposed to the analyte, e.g., has ingested theanalyte, followed by the identification of the analyte by knownanalytical biological probes, such as the rapid and highly sensitiveimmunoassays. The solubilization of the analyte from the interior ofhair is effectuated without damaging the analyte trapped within theorganic matrix of the hair fiber which is to be analyzed, nor does iteffect a subsequently-used probe (e.g., antibody) of a biologicalanalytical method. The hair analysis method according to the inventionalso permits the detection of past use patterns in a subject overextended periods of time without performing repeated testing as isnecessary in conventional analyte detection methods which measure thecontent of the analyte in samples of blood or urine.

More particularly, the invention comprises the rapid enzymatic digestionof the proteins making up samples of hair and other keratinizedstructures, followed by the effective deactivation of the enzyme andassociated enzyme/substrate activator (DTT and DTE). The resultantsolubilized analyte in the hair digest solution may then be analyzed byknown biological analytical probes, preferably by highly sensitiveprotein-based analytical techniques such as immunoassay. It has beenfound that the amount of analyte entrapped in hair is directlyproportional to the amount of analyte ingested

In accordance with the invention, a sample of a keratinized structure,e.g., hair, is first collected from a subject suspected of having beenexposed to, or having ingested, a particular analyte. Preferably, thehair sample is first washed by known methods to remove any analyte orother drug or chemical which may have been deposited on the surface ofthe hair by external contact rather than by actual consumption. The hairsample is then subjected to treatment with particular enzymes, togetherwith a particular enzyme/substrate activator, so as to effectuate thecomplete or nearly complete dissolution of the organic matrix of thehair fiber, known as keratin. The subject analyte that has been"entrapped" within the organic matrix of the hair is then released intosolution, or even if protein bound, the analyte is accessible to theantibody used in protein-based analytical methods. In order to fully andaccurately carry out the method of the invention, a complete dissolutionof the keratinized structure is desirable.

The enzymes preferred for the dissolution of the hair samples are thoseof the enzyme classes peptidase, endopeptidase and protease. Mostactive, and therefore preferred for use in the invention, are theenzymes papain, chymopapain and proteinase K.

A number of other proteases have been found to be effective in themethod according to the invention at low pH values (e.g., pH 7-9),namely, protease Type IV (bacterial, from Streptomyces caespitosus),Type VIII (from Bacillus subtilis), Type XI (proteinase K, fungal, fromTritirachium album), Type XIV (pronase, from Streptomyces griseus), TypeXVI (from Bacillus subtilis), Type XVIII (Newlase, from Rhizopusspecies), Type XIX (from Aspergillus sojae), Type XXI (from Streptomycesgriseus), Type XXIV (bacterial), Type XXVII (Nagarase), Type III(Prolase), Type X (Thermophilic-bacterial Protease, thermolysin); andType XXIII (from Aspergillus Oryzae).

As noted above, certain art-recognized procedures provide for the use ofpapain for use as a hair depilatory. These depilatory methods removehair from hides and skin by softening it sufficiently so as to permitits ready removal by scraping or other mechanical means, and utilizeinexpensive and less effective sulfhydryl enzyme and substrateactivators such as thioglycolic acid or cysteine. Thus, these methodsonly partly degrade the hair and do not provide for the completechemical dissolution of the hair. A mere softening of the hair would notbe acceptable in a method providing for the analysis of hair for thedetection of analyte, since only a complete, or nearly complete,dissolution of hair is acceptable in order to obtain a complete releaseof "entrapped" analyte. Moreover, the sulfhydryl enzyme activators usedin these depilatory methods are also harmful to certain biologicalanalyte probes such as antibodies.

In contrast to these depilatory methods, the method of the presentinvention utilizes dithiothreitol ("DTT", or2,3-dihydroxybutane-1,4-dithiol) or its isomer dithioerythritol ("DTE",or 2,3 dihydroxybutane-1,4-dithiol) as the substrate andsulfhydryl-enzyme activating agent. Surprisingly, it has been found thatDTT and DTE produce a highly active enzyme capable of dissolving hairwithin a relatively short period of time, e.g., about three hours,resulting in the release of the analyte into the hair digest solutionThis high activity of the enzyme has been found to be due, at least inpart, to the activation of the keratinized structure substrate itself byDTT and DTE, presumably by the action of DTT and DTE in opening updisulfide bonds in the keratinized structure, which facilitatesenzymatic attack.

Once the protein of the keratinized structure has been completely or atleast substantially dissolved, thereby releasing the analyte into thesolution mixture, it has been found to be necessary to deactivate theenzyme and the enzyme/substrate activator(s) in order to subject theanalyte to biological analytical probes such as antibodies, since theenzyme and enzyme/substrate activator(s), as noted above, can interferewith the structural integrity of protein substances involved in theanalytical method.

The task of deactivating the sulfhydryl-dependent enzymes such as papainhas proven difficult since after the hair digestion step, the enzymesare "buried" in a "sea" of sulfhydryl groups belonging to the releasedhair proteins and enzyme/substrate activating agents. Known sulfhydrylblocking agents are ineffective in deactivating the enzymes, since theknown sulfhydryl blockers tend to bind to the degraded hair proteins andDTT or DTE and not necessarily to the enzyme sulfhydryl sites criticalfor blocking the activity of the enzymes. Thus, it is not possible toeffectively utilize the protein-based analytical methods if the enzymesulfydryl sites are still active

Thus, it was surprisingly discovered that DTT and DTE act not only toactivate enzymes and/or the keratinized structure substrate causingunexpectedly high hair digestion activity, but that they alsospontaneously act to deactivate the enzyme by a direct or indirect(enzyme self-deactivation) mechanism after the enzyme effectuates thecomplete, or nearly complete, dissolution of the hair protein.Typically, the enzyme deactivation action of DTT or DTE occurs withinabout four to five hours after exposure to the enzyme, which is asufficient amount of time for the enzyme to effectuate the dissolutionof the hair sample. Once the enzyme has been deactivated, it has beenfound that the enzyme cannot be reactivated or regenerated by exposureto fresh DTT or DTE.

Deactivation of at least certain of the non-sulfhydryl dependentproteinases, e.g., proteinase K, by its inhibitor, phenylmethyl sulfonylchloride, is generally not required since the enzyme has not been foundto be active against the antibodies used in protein based immunoassaytechniques.

It has also been found that active DTT and DTE present in the hairdigest solution constitute a hazard to the structure and activity ofother proteins to which it is exposed, e.g., antibodies utilized inradioimmunoassay. Thus, it was a further surprising result that DTT orDTE in the reaction mixture will not only spontaneously act todeactivate the enzyme, but itself is spontaneously deactivated in thedigest solution. Typically, the spontaneous deactivation of DTT or DTEwill occur about 14 hours after its first exposure to the enzyme,depending on the various concentrations and amounts of the enzyme andDTT or DTE utilized, the pH, temperature, amount of hair sample, etc.

Thus, in accordance with the method of the invention, complete hairdigestion can be carried out in a relatively short period of time, e.g.,overnight, and the hair digest solution, which includes the releasedanalyte of interest, can be directly subjected, effectively andaccurately, to protein-based ligand assay analysis methods the nextmorning. Typically, the entire method, from the washing of hair samplesto the identification of the analyte, should take no longer than about16-20 hours. Little or no intervention by the individual performing themethod is needed to release the analyte from the hair sample once theenzyme and DTT or DTE come into contact with the hair sample.

Alternatively, it has been discovered that the addition of cupricsulfate to the sulfhydryl group-rich hair digest solution acts to morerapidly deactivate the sulfhydryl groups of DTT or DTE. Thus, theaddition of low amounts of the cupric sulfate to the hair digest mixtureafter digestion of the hair sample and the deactivation of the enzyme byDTT or DTE significantly accelerates the time in which the hair digestmixture can be subjected to the analysis method since it is notnecessary to wait for the self-deactivation of DTT or DTE, which occursapproximately fourteen hours after its addition to solution. Typically,about 100 microliters of cupric sulfate (10 mg/ml) is added to 1 ml ofhair digest mixture about 4 to 5 hours after contacting the enzyme andDTT or DTE with the hair sample so as to permit the enzyme sufficienttime to dissolve the hair sample.

Similarly, sodium arsenite (NaAsO₂) may be utilized in the invention toremove residual DTT or DTE by formation of a precipitable compound.Typically, 100 microliters of a 100 mg/ml solution of sodium arsenite isadded to 1 ml of hair digest solution to effectuate the deactivation ofDTT and DTE.

Once the rapid and effective dissolution of hair for the purpose ofreleasing entrapped analytes is effectuated as described above, theanalyte mixture may then be subjected to direct analysis by artrecognized protein-based analytical methods such as radioimmunoassay("RIA"). Such methods are preferred for use in the invention because RIAand related immuno- or ligand assays are currently the only known massproduction procedures having the required sensitivity and conveniencefor measuring the low concentrations of analytes contained in hairsamples. The use of these methods is preferred because only about 0.5 to1.0 mg. of hair is necessary for analysis by RIA and other protein-basedanalytical methods. Indeed, for certain drugs-of-abuse, it has beenfound that analysis by the method according to the invention can beeffectively performed on as little as one or two hairs about one inch inlength.

Other analytical methods may be utilized in place of the protein-basedanalytical methods, including instrumental means such as chromatography,mass spectrometry, etc. Because these methods are not protein-based, thestep of deactivation of the enzyme and DTT or DTE is not necessary whenusing non-protein-based analytical techniques. However, the speed andgentleness of the extraction method according to the invention and theability to quantitate the extraction efficiency through the inclusion ofa "spike", i.e., the inclusion of a known amount of analyte, makes thepresently disclosed extraction method also the method of choice forinstrumental analysis methods such as gas chromatography and massspectrometry.

The method according to the invention has been found to be effective indetecting the use and prior use of drugs of abuse such as cocaine,morphine/heroin, marijuana, phenylcyclidine or "PCP", and methaqualone.Moreover, the method according to the invention has been found to beeffective in determining prior usage of prescription drugs such asdigoxin and amphetamines and toxic chemicals such as nicotine. It iscontemplated that any organic analyte present in the bloodstream of anindividual and transferred to the hair during its synthesis can beextracted and analyzed in accordance with the method of the invention.

In carrying out the method according to the invention, it is preferredthat an aqueous solution of about 110 mg DTT or DTE/10 ml water be used,although concentrations of DTT or DTE of about 50-200 mg/10 ml waterhave been shown to be effective in the invention. It is preferred thatthe weight ratio of DTT or DTE to papain or chymopapain be about 110:2[when enzyme purity is 16-40 BAEE units/mg protein], althoughefficacious results have been observed at weight ratios of DTT or DTE topapain or chymopapain ranging between about 110:1 to about 110:4. Withrespect to proteinase K and other proteases, it is preferred that theweight ratio of DTT or DTE to proteinase K (or other proteases) be about1200:1 (when enzyme purity is 10-20 units per mg. protein), althoughweight ratios of 1200:0.5 to about 1200:2 will also be effective.

The concentration of hair protein is preferably kept constant at about10 mg hair /cc of digest solution so as to prevent variable matrixeffects in a subsequently utilized protein-based analytical method.

It is preferred that the enzymatic digestion of hair, according to themethod of the invention, be conducted at low temperatures and nearneutral pH. In this regard, it is preferred to perform the method, whenpapain or chymopapain is utilized as the enzyme, at a temperature ofbetween about 20° C. and 40° C., and at a pH between about pH 8.8 and10.5. Preferably, the pH is between about 8.8 and 9.5. In a mostpreferred embodiment, the temperature is about 37° C. and the pH about9.1.

When proteinase K or other proteases are utilized as the enzyme, it ispreferred to perform the method between about 20 and 40 degreescentigrade and at a pH between about 7 and 9. In the most preferredembodiment, the temperature is about 37 degrees centigrade and the pHabout 7.0; under these conditions, the risk of damaging a particularanalyte is at a minimum. Other enzymes which dissolve hair under neutralconditions include: Protease Type XIV (Pronase), Type IV, Type VIII,Type XXVII (Nagarase), Type XXVIII (Newlase), Type XXVIII, Type XVI,Type XXI and Type XXIII.

In contrast to other available analyte detection methods such as urineand blood analysis, the method in accordance with the invention permitsdetection of exposure to an analyte over a period of time, and istherefore quite beneficial in detecting chronic drug use. Since hair isknown to grow at a rate of about 0.3-0.4 mm/day or about 1.0-1.3cm/month, it is possible to measure consumption or exposure as far backas the hair length permits by evaluating snippets of hair of variouslengths, and the use of highly sensitive protein-based analyticalmethods permits analysis of small samples of analyte contained in thesmall snippets of hair.

Through sectional analysis, the method of the invention provides arelatively permanent record and evidence of a pattern of drug use, orthe prior ingestion of other substances, for periods ranging fromseveral days to months or even years after last use. The history of suchexposure can be made as detailed as desired by analyzing suitably shortsections of hair representing different periods of growth. In this way,prior usage over time, and the extent of such use, can be determined.

Although the use of head hair is preferred for use in the invention dueto its length and accessability, it is possible to utilize any otherbody hair in the method of the invention. Thus, it is not practicallypossible to avoid testing by the method of the invention by shavingone's head.

However, treatments such as perming and dyeing may increase the rate ofdissolution of hair subjected to the method according to the invention.In some cases, some analyte may be lost prior to performing theprocedure due to such treatments. When the subject hair has been soaltered, an increase in digestion rate is evident and an appropriatecorrection factor may be applied based upon known rates of normal hairdissolution.

Certain other cosmetic agents, such as certain relaxing agents, maycause hair to become resistant to digestion. Such resistance may beovercome by increasing the quantity of enzyme to be used. Preferably,proteinase K is utilized as the enzyme when such resistance to digestionis encountered.

Alternatively, when it is not possible to make use of body hair or insome instance when the use of hair is not desirable, the use of otherkeratinized tissue such as fingernails, toenails and skin may be used inthe invention. In this regard, the effective ratio of DTT or DTE toenzyme needed to dissolve fingernails and toenails in order to releasethe analyte is about the same as for use with hair, as discussed above.Once the fingernail or toenail samples are dissolved in accordance withthe method described herein, the released analyte may be analyzed by adesired analytical method.

In another aspect of the invention, it has been surprisingly discoveredthat melanin granules contained in hair can be dissolved by the combinedaction of the enzyme (preferably papain), DTT or DTE and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), the latter at a concentration of about5 mg EDTA/ml of digest solution. Since certain analytes or drugs ofabuse such as PCP have been discovered to accumulate in these granules,dissolution of the granules, which are present in the digest solution ofhair, can be effectuated and the analyte contained in the granuleidentified.

In accordance with this aspect of the invention, a hair digest solutionis obtained as described above, and the melanin granules recovered fromthe hair digest solution, e.g., by centrifugation. The melanin granulesare then contacted with EDTA, the enzyme and DTT or DTE to release theanalyte from the melanin granules, and the analyte analyzed by themethods described above.

The benefits to be obtained from use of the method according to theinvention are many. The method provides a prompt and accurate diagnosisof prior exposure to a particular analyte. The subject hair andkeratinized structure analysis method can provide a record ofconsumption, or non-consumption, over very long periods of time. Guesswork regarding the true significance of one blood or urine analysis willbe eliminated. Hair collection is less intrusive and less physicallyrepulsive than blood or urine collection, and samples cannot be alteredor substituted, nor can detection be evaded by short term abstention or"flushing" (excessive fluid intake) prior to a scheduled testing, e.g.,pre-employment test or annual physical examination. Samples may bestored indefinitely without refrigeration.

The methods according to the invention, useful for the dissolution ofkeratinized structures, e.g., hair, can also be used to ascertain thepresence and structure of naturally occurring components of hair such asDNA.

The following examples illustrate certain aspects of the invention butthey do not limit the invention as set forth in the specification andclaims.

EXAMPLE 1 Extraction of Cocaine From Hair Sample

10 mg of hair was removed from a subject suspected of being a cocaineaddict and washed by shaking in water at 37° C. for 30 minutes. To 10ml. of distilled water, 110 mg. of dithiothreitol(2,3-dihydroxybutane-1,4-dithiol, Cleland's reagent, obtained from SigmaChemical Co., St. Louis, Mo.), was added. The pH of the solution wasadjusted to pH 9.1 with 15% potassium hydroxide added dropwise withstirring of the DTT solution. Stirring was continued while adding 80microliters of Type III papain solution (papainase EC 3.4.22.2)(obtained from Sigma Chemical Co., 16-40 BAEE units activity per mg.protein). The enzyme solution was at a concentration of 30 mg of enzymeprotein/ml of water, where 1 mg of enzyme protein has an activity of16-40 BAEE units [one BAEE unit will hydrolyze 1.0 micromole of sodiumbenzoyl-L-arginine ethylester at pH 6.2 at 25° C.].

To 1 ml of this solution was added the 10 mg hair sample in a 13×75 mmpolycarbonate test tube. The solution was incubated in a 37° C. waterbath with shaking for 2 hours, and the solution was allowed to standovernight at 37° C. without shaking. The solution containing thedissolved hair sample was centrifuged at 2,000 rpm [Damon IEC model CRU5,000 centrifuge] to remove the melanin granules. To 1 cc of the hairdigest solution was added 200 microliters of a 1 molar phosphate buffer,pH 5.5.

100 microliters of this solution was assayed by RIA for the presence ofcocaine [benzoylecgonine equivalent, or "BEE"]. RIA analysis revealed83.6 nanograms BEE/10 mg of hair.

EXAMPLE 2 Addition of Dithioerythritol

The hair sample of Example 1 was analyzed using the digestion and assayprocedure set forth in Example 1, except for the replacement ofdithiothreitol (DTT) by dithioerythritol (DTE). The sample was assayedby RIA, which revealed 82 nanograms cocaine (BEE) per 10 mg of hair.

EXAMPLE 3 Addition of Cupric Sulfate

After digesting the hair sample in the water bath for four hours, 100microliters of a 10 mg/ml cupric sulfate solution was added to 1 ml ofthe hair digest solution prepared as set forth in Example 1. Thesolution was shaken at 37° C. for about 30 minutes prior to the additionof phosphate buffer and assay by RIA. One hundred microliters of thehair digest solution was subjected to RIA analysis, which revealed 85.0nanograms of cocaine (BEE)/10 mg of hair.

EXAMPLE 4 Addition of Sodium Arsenite

After digesting the hair sample in the water bath for four hours, 100microliters of a 100 mg/ml sodium arsenite solution was added to 1.0 mlof the hair digest solution prepared as set forth in Example 1. Thesolution was shaken at 37° C. for 30 minutes. 200 microliters of 1M, pH6.5, phosphate buffer was added prior to assay by RIA. One hundredmicroliters of the hair digest solution was subjected to RIA analysis,which revealed 82 nanograms of cocaine (BEE) per 10 mg of hair.

EXAMPLE 5 Substrate Activation By Dithiothreitol (DTT)

10 mg of hair were exposed to 11 mg of DTT at pH 9.1 for a period of 20hours. The DTT solution was removed and replaced with DTT and papain asin EXAMPLE 1. The hair specimen dissolved within 10 minutes as comparedto within one hour for a control specimen not pretreated with DTT anddigested as in EXAMPLE 1, thereby demonstrating that DTT activated notonly the sulfhydryl-dependent enzyme, papain, but the enzyme substrate,hair, as well.

EXAMPLE 6 Digestion and Analysis of Hair Using Proteinase-K

10 mg of hair was removed from a subject suspected of being a cocaineuser and washed by shaking in water at 37 degrees centigrade for 60minutes. To 10 ml of 0.05M TRIS buffer, pH 7.0, 60 mg of dithiothreitol(DTT) and 20 mg sodium dodecyl sulfate (lauryl sulfate) was added. ThepH of the solution was checked to ensure the solution was buffered at apH 7.0. To this solution was added 0.5 mg proteinase K [Protease TypeXI, from Tritirachium album, obtained from Sigma Chemical Co.; 1 mg ofenzyme protein has an activity of 10-20 units; one unit will hydrolyzecasein to produce color equivalent to 1.0 umole (181 ug) of tyrosine perminute at pH 7.5 at 37 degrees centigrade (color by Folin-Ciocalteureagent)].

To 1 ml of this solution was added the 10 mg hair sample in a 13×75 mmpolycarbonate test tube. The solution was incubated in a 37° C. waterbath with shaking for 1 hour and allowed to stand overnight at 37° C.without shaking. The solution containing the dissolved hair sample wascentrifuged at 2,000 RPM to remove the melanin granules. To 1 cc of thehair digest solution was added 100 microliters of Cupric Sulfate (10mg/ml), and this solution was shaken at 37° C. for minutes. 200 ul of 1Mphosphate buffer, pH 7.0, was then added.

100 microliters of this solution was assayed by RIA for the presence ofcocaine (benzoylecgonine equivalents, or BEE). RIA analysis revealed31.2 nanograms BEE/10 mg of hair.

EXAMPLE 7 Role of Sulfhydryl Compounds in the Activation of Hair forProteinase K Digestion

10 mg of hair was incubated in a solution identical to that described inEXAMPLE 6 except that DTT was omitted. No digestion of hair occurredduring 24 hours of enzyme exposure, thereby demonstrating the need forthe enzyme activation of the hair sample by the substrate activator,DTT.

EXAMPLE 8 Dissolution of Fingernails

A 10 mg. sample of fingernail clippings was obtained from a subject, andsubjected to a detergent wash. 220 mg of DTT was added to 10 ml of waterin a test tube and the pH adjusted to pH 9.1 as in Example 1. A papainsuspension, 160 microliters, was then added. 1.0 ml of this solution wasthen added in a test tube to 10 mg of fingernail clippings and shaken at37° C. for a period of 24 hours until dissolution occurred. The digestsolution was then analyzed by RIA as previously described.

EXAMPLE 9 Performance of Sectional Analysis

A hair sample, about 6 cm in length, was obtained from an individualsuspected of being a heroin addict. The samples were carefully sectionedinto three 2 cm sections, with corresponding sections added to threeseparate test tubes and washed. The hair samples were subjected to theprocess described in Example 1, except that chymopapain (EC 3.4.22.6)was used in place of papain as the enzyme. The samples were agitatedovernight as previously described.

RIA analysis revealed morphine content in the three sections of 13.5,5.7 and 0 nanograms/10 mg hair.

EXAMPLE 10 Dissolution of Digestion-Resistant Hair

Ten milligrams of hair which had been treated with relaxer was incubatedovernight in the solution digest described in Example 6. The hair sampledid not dissolve in the usual 20-hour period. A greater and additionalamount of proteinase K, i.e., 1 mg, was then added to the partiallydigested sample. The sample then dissolved within the next 24 hours. Thedigest was centrifuged and 100 ul CuSO₄ solution (10 mg/ml) was added to1 ml of the supernatant which was then shaken at 37 degrees centigradefor 30 minutes. 200 ul of 1M phosphate buffer pH 7 was added. Due to thehigh amount of proteinase K in the resulting digest, 20 ul of theproteinase inhibitor phenylmethyl sulfonyl chloride in ethanol was addedto the digest prior to assay by RIA.

RIA analysis revealed 7.4 ng cocaine (BEE)/10 mg hair.

While there have been described what are presently believed to bepreferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that numerous changes can be made in the ingredients,conditions and proportions set forth in the foregoing embodimentswithout departing from the invention as described herein and as definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for the detection and identification ofan organic analyte from the bloodstream of a subject which becomesembedded in a keratinized structure of the subject which comprises:(a)preparing a mixture comprising a sulfhydryl-dependent protease suitablefor the digestion of keratin, a sample of keratinized structure and anagent selected from the group consisting of dithiothreitol anddithioerythritol; (b) permitting the protease to at least substantiallydigest the sample of keratinized structure to form a keratin digestsolution; (c) permitting the passage of a sufficient period of time forthe protease and the agent to become deactivated, said sufficient periodof time being about 4-5 hours for the protease and about 14 hours forthe agent; and (d) after the protease and agent have deactivated,subjecting a portion of the keratin digest solution to analysis by animmunoassay method to detect the identity and amount of the analyte, ifpresent, in the keratinized structure sample such that the entire methodmay be completed, if desired, within about 16-20 hours.
 2. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the keratinized structure is hair.
 3. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the protease is selected from thegroup consisting of papain and chymopapain.
 4. The method according toclaim 1 wherein the analysis is performed by radioimmunoassay.
 5. Themethod according to claim 1 wherein the keratinized structure sample isdissolved at a temperature between about 20° C. and 40° C.
 6. The methodaccording to claim 1 wherein the keratinized structure sample isdissolved at a pH between about 8.8 and 9.5.
 7. A method for thedetection and identification of an organic analyte from the bloodstreamof a subject which becomes embedded in a keratinized structure of thesubject which comprises:(a) preparing a mixture comprising proteinase K,a sample of keratinized structure and an agent selected from the groupconsisting of dithiothreitol and dithioerythritol; (b) permitting theproteinase K to at least substantially digest the sample of keratinizedstructure to form a keratin digest solution; (c) adding a second agentselected from the group consisting of cupric sulfate and sodium arsenitein an amount sufficient to deactivate said agent; and (d) after theagent has deactivated, subjecting a portion of the keratin digestsolution to analysis by an immunoassay to detect the identity and amountof the analyte, if present, in the keratinized structure sample.
 8. Themethod according to claim 7 wherein the keratinized structure is hair.9. The method according to claim 7 wherein the analysis is performed bya radioimmunoassay procedure.
 10. A method for the detection andidentification of an organic analyte from the bloodstream of a subjectwhich becomes embedded in the hair of the subject which comprises:(a)preparing a mixture comprising a sample of hair, an enzyme selected fromthe group consisting of papain and chymopapain and an agent selectedfrom the group consisting of dithiothreitol and dithioerythritol; (b)permitting the enzyme to at least substantially digest the sample ofhair to form a hair digest solution; (c) permitting the passage of asufficient period of time of about 4-5 hours for the enzyme to becomedeactivated; (d) permitting the passage of a sufficient period of timeof about 14 hours for the agent to deactivate; (d) after the enzyme andagent have deactivated, subjecting a portion of the keratin digestsolution to analysis by an immunoassay method to determine the identityand amount of the analyte, if present, in the hair sample such that theentire method may be completed, if desired, within about 16-20 hours.11. The method according to claim 10 wherein the immunoassay is aradioimmunoassay procedure.
 12. The method according to claim 10 whereinthe hair sample is dissolved at a temperature between about 20° C. and40° C.
 13. The method according to claim 10 wherein the hair sample isdissolved at a pH between about 8.8 and 9.5.
 14. A method for thedetection and identification of an organic analyte from the bloodstreamof a subject which becomes embedded in the hair of the subject whichcomprises:(a) preparing a mixture comprising papain, a sample of hairand an agent selected from the group consisting of dithiothreitol anddithioerythritol; (b) permitting the enzyme to at least substantiallydigest the sample of hair to form a hair digest solution; (c) permittingthe passage of a sufficient period of time of about 4-5 hours for thepapain to deactivate; (d) permitting the passage of a sufficient periodof time of about 14 hours for the agent to deactivate; (e) after thepapain and agent have become deactivated, subjecting a portion of thehair digest solution to analysis by immunoassay to detect the identityand amount of the analyte, if present, in the keratinized structuresample such that the entire method may be completed, if desired, withinabout 16-20 hours.
 15. A method for the detection and identification ofan organic analyte from the bloodstream of a subject which becomesembedded in the hair of the subject which comprises:(a) preparing amixture comprising proteinase K, a sample of hair and an agent selectedfrom the group consisting of dithiothreitol and dithioerythritol; (b)permitting the enzyme to at least substantially digest the sample ofhair to form a hair digest solution; (c) permitting the passage of asufficient period of time for the agent to become deactivated whichoccurs about 14 hours after the preparation of the mixture; and (d)after the agent has deactivated, subjecting a portion of the hair digestsolution to analysis by immunoassay to detect the identity and amount ofthe analyte, if present, in the hair sample such that the agent willhave deactivated, and the entire method may be completed, if desired,within about 16-20 hours.
 16. A method for the detection andidentification of an organic analyte from the bloodstream of a subjectwhich becomes embedded in a keratinized structure of the subject whichcomprises:(a) preparing a mixture comprising a sulfhydryl-dependentprotease suitable for the digestion of keratin, a sample of keratinizedstructure and an agent selected from the group consisting ofdithiothreitol and dithioerythritol; (b) permitting the protease to atleast substantially digest the keratinized structure to form a keratindigest solution; (c) permitting the passage of a sufficient period oftime of about 4-5 hours for the enzyme to become deactivated; (d) addinga second agent selected from the group consisting of cupric sulfate andsodium arsenite in an amount sufficient to deactivate the agent; and (e)after the enzyme and agent have deactivated, subjecting a portion of thehair digest solution to analysis by an immunoassay method to detect theidentity and amount of the analyte, if present, in the hair sample. 17.A method according to claim 16 wherein the keratinized structure ishair.
 18. A method according to claim 16 wherein the protease isselected from the group consisting of papain and chymopapain.
 19. Themethod according to claim 16 wherein the protease is papain.
 20. Themethod according to claim 16 wherein the analysis is performed byradioimmunoassay.
 21. The method according to claim 16 wherein thesecond agent is sodium arsenite.
 22. A method for the detection andidentification of an organic analyte from the bloodstream of a subjectwhich becomes embedded in a keratinized structure of the subject whichcomprises:(a) preparing a mixture comprising a sulfhydryl-dependentprotease suitable for the digestion of keratin, a sample of keratinizedstructure and an agent selected form the group consisting ofdithiothreitol and dithioerythritol; (b) permitting the protease to atleast substantially digest the keratinized structure to form a keratindigest solution; (c) permitting the passage of a sufficient period oftime of about 4-5 hours for the enzyme to become deactivated; (d) addingcupric sulfate in an amount sufficient to deactivate the agent; and (e)after the enzyme and agent have deactivated, subjecting a portion of thekeratin digest solution to analysis by an immunoassay method to detectthe identity and amount of the analyte, if present, in the keratinizedstructure sample.
 23. A method for the detection and identification ofan organic analyte from the bloodstream of a subject which becomesembedded in the hair of the subject which comprises:(a) preparing amixture comprising proteinase K for the digestion of hair, a sample ofhair and an agent selected from the group consisting of dithiothreitoland dithioerythritol; (b) permitting the proteinase K to at leastsubstantially digest the sample of hair to form a hair digest solution;(c) adding sodium arsenite to the hair digest solution in an amountsufficient to deactivate said agent such that the agent will notinterfere with the accuracy of an immunoassay method performed on thedigest solution; and (d) subjecting a portion of the digest solution toanalysis by immunoassay to detect the identity and amount of theanalyte, if present, in the hair sample.
 24. A method for the detectionand identification of an organic analyte from the bloodstream of asubject which becomes embedded in the hair of the subject whichcomprises:(a) preparing a mixture comprising proteinase K for thedigestion of keratin, a sample of hair and an agent selected from thegroup consisting of dithiothreitol and dithioerythritol; (b) permittingthe proteinase K to at least substantially digest the sample of hair toform a hair digest solution; (c) adding cupric sulfate to the hairdigest solution in an amount sufficient to deactivate the agent afterthe hair sample has been at least substantially digested such that theagent will not interfere with the accuracy of an immunoassay methodperformed on the digest solution; and (d) subjecting a portion of thedigest solution to analysis by an immunoassay method to determined theidentity and amount of the analyte, if present, in the hair sample.